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FG Says It Has Suspends Resumption Date Of Abuja-Kaduna Train Service
The extension was to inform Nigerians and give them time
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Transportation on Sunday, extended the resumption date for Abuja-Kaduna rail services.
According to Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, said FG had introduced a new system of purchasing tickets, which he said was the beginning of security checks. He noted that it would enable them to ascertain who would board the train at every point in time.
“We have introduced a new system. Before you buy a ticket, the purchase will require you to present a phone number and a national identification card in order to profile you. That is the beginning of the security check. At every point in time that a train moves from one station to another, we know who and who are on board. If you do not have a NIN, you are not going to board our train.”
He added that before minors could have access to board the train, they would require an adult to register for them, adding that only four minors could be registered by an adult.
“If you are a minor, an adult will pay for you or register you and an adult can register not more than four minors.”
He explained that the extension was to inform Nigerians and give them time to enable them get used to the new system.
He said, “We want to give sufficient time for the Nigerian public to listen to this and assimilate this new system so if we start tomorrow, a lot of people will be disgruntled. Definitely, we will resume between three, four, five days, certainly not more than a week.”
Mr Sambo said that he was satisfied with the level of preparedness even though there were still some areas that needed to be addressed.
The minister said security measures had been installed but would not disclose them because, according to him, it was a security matter.
The federal government had last week stated that on Monday, 28th November 2022, the Abuja-Kaduna rail services will resume operations.
Recalled that the Abuja-Kaduna train was suspended following the attack on the train on 28th March 2022 when terrorists planted explosives that derailed the train.